Sprinkles of Kindness from the Love Standard Series
“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 CSB
Hey Friend,
Today we will start diving into what God’s definition and standard for love is! I’m so excited!
As I have mentioned, I have been challenged by this chapter for a while now. As I look back over my marriage, so many things could have been better if I would have chosen God’s standard instead of my standard. Well, we can’t change the past, but we can impact the future. So, let’s dive right in.
Our key verse today says, “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 CSB
God’s standard of love from the Bible is a decision, not merely a feeling. I can get miffed because my husband said something that I don’t like and that feeling can fester and grow into a huge mountain.
Our first response needs to be to “make a decision” to not allow ourselves to jump on the feelings train. Notice I used the word “allow.” We can allow ourselves to get all worked up or we can allow ourselves not to. It is a choice. When we choose not to allow our emotions to have the reigns, then we are already on our way to a victory party.
I can assure you that Satan doesn’t like it one bit. He wants us to rely on our feelings. When he gets us focused on our feelings instead of what is at the root of the situation, he knows that we won’t be thinking about the situation rationally, which can lead to disaster. And Satan is the master of disaster.
This verse starts out with “Love is patient, love is kind.”
The definition for patience is this: “The quality of virtue of patience is presented as either forbearance or endurance. In the former sense, it is a quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; It is a determination of the will and not simply under necessity.”
Patience is often very hard to gain and maintain. If you are like me, I tend to ride the emotions train but as I mentioned, that leads to disaster. God can grant us grace, patience, and endurance to those who look to Him and depend on Him for it. We can’t do it within ourselves – We need God’s help.
I have a picture from Hobby Lobby that hangs on my kitchen wall, and it says, “Kindness is free…Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
Patience and kindness are part of God’s nature – It’s part of who He is. These characteristics are also listed in the fruit of the Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23 and are available to us by the Holy Spirit.
Notice the qualities. We see what love should be and what it shouldn’t be.
Love is: Patient and Kind.
Love is NOT:
Envious (Jealous, covetous, feeling or showing of envy)
Boastful (showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities)
Arrogant (haughty, conceited, having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance)
Irritable (bad-tempered, having or showing a tendency to be easily annoyed or made angry)
When we practice putting others before ourselves and when we ask for God’s help, only then is it possible to love by God’s standard. This is a love that gives sacrificially even when it is not deserved. This is how God loves. He loves sacrificially even when we don’t deserve it.
We must remember, our enemy has all the qualities that was listed from the love is not category and we don’t want to mimic him in any way.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me sacrificially even when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for giving me your standard and for showing me by example how I should love you, love myself, love my husband, and love others. You are such an amazing God. Help me this week to show my husband more patience and more kindness. Teach me how to love like you love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dig Deeper:
“Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice.” Romans 15:5-6 CSB
Reflection: Challenge #3
Practice these standards this week
1.Go ahead and make the decision that no matter what situation happens between you and your husband – you will not rely on your feelings. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by the feelings train.
2. If you find yourself getting caught up in your emotions, stop and pray and ask God to give you clarity over the situation and rely on His help.
3. How can you practice more kindness and more patience this week to your husband? Challenge yourself to come up with new creative ways – make these your new go-to instead of what you have done in the past that may have led to disaster. Remember-- kindness is free so go ahead and sprinkle that stuff everywhere!!!!
4. If you find yourself feeling the feelings of the qualities in the Love is NOT category – pray and give those to God, asking for forgiveness and His help. We aren’t perfect but we have a perfect God! Rely on Him.